Tang and Song Eight Masters (Volumes 1, 2, and 3)

Author: Jin Feng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-03-01
Features: The Chinese civilization has a long and profound history. As carriers of cultural heritage, the vast collection of classical texts has been extensively studied throughout the ages. Throughout different dynasties, the compilation, publication, and preservation of cultural classics have always been a focus of attention. Works such as the Yongle Dadian from the 15th century and the Siku Quanshu from the 18th century are considered paragons in the history of Chinese culture. The Siku Quanshu Zongmu, edited by Mao Kun, includes the Tang-Song Eight Masters' Literary Anthology, which states: ?The Ming Shi records: 'Mao Kun was skilled in classical literature and deeply admired Tang Shunzhi. In his Literary Compendium, Tang Shunzhi selected works only from the Tang-Song Eight Masters—Han Yu, Liu Yuxi, Ou Yangxiu, the three Su brothers, Zeng Xian, and Wang Anshi—excluding others. Therefore, Mao Kun compiled the Tang-Song Eight Masters' Literary Anthology. Upon examination, it was found that in the early Ming Dynasty, Zhu You had already collected works by Han Yu, Liu Yuxi, Ou Yangxiu, Zeng Xian, Wang Anshi, and the three Su brothers in the Eight Masters' Collection, which predates Mao Kun's work. However, Zhu You's book is no longer in existence, while Mao Kun's collection remains widely studied.' The Chinese civilization has a long and profound history. As carriers of cultural heritage, the vast collection of classical texts has been extensively studied throughout the ages. Throughout different dynasties, the compilation, publication, and preservation of cultural classics have always been a focus of attention. Works such as the Cafu Yuanfei from the 11th century, the Yongle Dadian from the 15th century, and the Siku Quanshu from the 18th century are considered paragons in the history of Chinese culture. In the 21st century, it is indeed a necessity to reorganize and publish a collection of classic national studies with archival value. Thus, a grand project to recreate rare classical books on handmade Xuan paper—Zhipin Shuchu—was born. The content of Zhipin Shuchu is divided into six major categories: literature, history, philosophy, miscellaneous studies, painting, and calligraphy. To ensure the high quality and authority of the series, the editorial committee specially invited experts in paleography, textual criticism, bibliology, collation, philology, and archaeology from all over the country to form the academic advisory committee and the working review committee of Zhipin Shuchu. They conducted rigorous selection and review of the bibliography and editions. In terms of binding and production, Zhipin Shuchu exclusively uses specially made, snow-white, elegant-colored, and anti-mold/anti-vermin Xuan paper from Huizhou, employing traditional printing techniques. It is truly a timeless masterpiece of Chinese culture. Zhipin Shuchu is a rare monumental work in the publishing history of the past century and also a generous gift from the publishing industry to contemporary collectors.